Sunday's Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great;
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is for ever.

—Martin Luther

St Olaf Choir

(This is a different translation than the one I’ve posted. The rhythm of the third verse is supposedly something like the way the hymn would have been originally sung.)

Piano and violin

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• At the Name of Jesus at Graces Daily
• The Old Book Stands at The Happy Wondere
• If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee at LigonDuncan.com
• May the Gates of Hell Crumble Before Them from Trevin Wax
• Condescending Love at Tried With Fire
• Lord’s Day 29, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: The brilliant future will arise out of the gloom at Pyromaniacs

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Linked Together: Questions About God

A few suggestions for your weekend reading and thinking.

His Nature
Why do Christians believe God exists as Trinity if the word Trinity isn’t found in the Bible? The short answer.

Why do Christian formulas use so many negatives when making assertions about God? The answer is a mystery.

What is idolatry? Here’s the fundamental definition.

His Work
What does it mean that all things work together for the believer’s good (Romans 8:28)? Think of it as “a glimpse of hindsight in advance.”

Thankful Thursday

Join me in thanking God for the past week’s blessings.

I’m thankful for perfect sunny summer weather all week long. I’m thankful for a trip to the beach and another pool party in the back yard.

I’m thankful that God feeds the nesting birds busy raising families in my yard. I’m thankful that God feeds me, too, both with food from my garden and food from the grocery store.

I’m thankful for my son’s new job—God’s provision for him and his family, which will be expanding by one in December. Yes, one more grandchild and one more thing to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for the gift of faith. I’m also thankful that I can ask God to “help my unbelief.” I’m thankful that Jesus gives peace to troubled hearts.

Persis was also thankful today.

What are you thankful for? Why not leave a comment with your thanksgiving?